Written Answers Nos. 218 - 227
218. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for personal assistant hours for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
219. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health how many orthopaedic surgeons are working in Cappagh hospital, Dublin; how many days per week they are working; his plans to increase the number of orthopaedic surgeons at the hospital in order to tackle the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17397/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
220. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health to examine the means assessment and personal contribution under the fair deal scheme for persons (details supplied). [17403/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 9 June 2016, the precise extra provisions he put in place to address the matter of self-harm in boys aged 10 to 14 years of age, given the obvious urgent need arising from the increase of 44% in referrals in the age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17411/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
222. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if it is acceptable to allow a person (details supplied) to wait two years on the public waiting list for an ear, nose and throat appointment within the Cavan and Monaghan hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17458/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
223. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to secure funding for Rehab programmes in the midlands to assist persons in receipt of disability payments with additional issues. [17461/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI require clarification as regards the type of Rehab Programmes referred to in your question and upon receipt of this information I will revert to you with a reply.
224. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 to date in which the powers vested in him or any other Minister in his Department were exercised, without any express act of delegation, by departmental officials of certain seniority and responsibility, as per the Carltona doctrine. [17472/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 a number of officials in my Department are authorised to act on my behalf. Under the Public Service Management Act 1997 the Secretary General manages the day to day business of the Department. This Act empowers the Secretary General to assign to other officers responsibility for the performance of his or her functions. Assignments under the Act, with respect to the Department of Health, can be found at www.whodoeswhat.gov.ie.
225. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if all muscular dystrophies are covered under the long-term illness scheme and, if not, the exceptions and the reason for their exclusion. [17544/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Additional information from the Deputy's office confirms that the question relates specifically to a condition called myasthenia gravis, which is not covered under the LTI Scheme. My officials are currently sourcing and collating the information required and as soon as it is available they will contact the Deputy directly in this matter.
226. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand services in the areas of increasing longevity and improvements in survival from various neurological diseases and the growing complexity of chronic disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
227. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the average response times for the ambulance service in north and in south County Kerry; if these are in line with targets set by the Health Service Executive and by the national ambulance service, and in particular emergency call-out times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17549/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
